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Home › Baby Names Directory › Yanni

Yanni

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Yanni

Pronounced YAH-nee /ˈjɑ.ni/Medium

Meaning: A pet form of Yannis (Ioannis) — the Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'Medium

In 30 seconds: God is gracious: Yanni pets Yannis — the Greek John, 'God is gracious'. Melodic, warm, and lively (said 'YAH-nee').
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Origin MediumHebrew, Greek
MeaningA pet form of Yannis (Ioannis) — the Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'
U.S. rank (2024)#5635 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births17 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 764

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199819922024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Yanni is a pet form of Yannis (Ioannis) — the Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. A melodic, warm, lively name across Greece (the new-age keyboardist Yanni; said 'YAH-nee'; the J/Y sound).

In the U.S. it appears in Greek families. Rare, God-is-gracious at the root, and melodic.

Did you know? Yannis (Ioannis) is the Greek John, 'God is gracious' (Hebrew Yochanan) — Yanni is its melodic pet form (the new-age musician Yanni; said 'YAH-nee').
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name — Giannis — root etymology

Variations

YannisIoannisGiannis

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Yanni…

Yannis— the full name
Giannis— a fellow Greek John form
Ioannis— the formal Greek form
Yianni— a fellow Greek choice
Dani— shares Yanni's Hebrew roots

Explore names like Yanni

By themehebrewgreeknickname-name
By meaningGod / DivineGrace

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Yanni mean?

Yanni pets Yannis — the Greek John, 'God is gracious'.

How do you pronounce Yanni?

It's said YAH-nee /ˈjɑ.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Yanni a boy or girl name?

Yanni is a boy's name.

How popular is Yanni?

Yanni is a rare name in the U.S.

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